Sorauren Park Pumpkin Parade

The pumpkin death parade at Sorauren Park

What do you do with your Halloween pumpkin after the big night has passed? In one Toronto community the answer for the last eight years has been to hold a "Pumpkin Parade" on November 1st. People bring their works of pumpkin art to Sorauren Park in the city's west end for one last hurrah. Although there were fewer pumpkins than in years past (likely because similar events have taken hold in other neighbourhoods), hundreds of people walked along the park's various pathway's and admired the many creative ways of decorating the big orange gourd.

Designs ranged from the traditional smiling jack-o'-lantern to Jack Layton, with many other characters drawn from television and film — think Harry Potter (with Lord Voldemort on the flip side) and Kermit the Frog. There were also the usual frightful stuff (witches, Satan, and, scariest of all, Rob Ford) as well as whimsical designs like the pumpkin man sitting on a toilet and the pumpkin bicycle.

It was a perfect night with reasonably warm temperatures and a half moon to lend some light to the pathways. East Lynn Park has a similar event each year, but Sorauren remains the main draw on account of its size and the novelty of its jack-o'-laterns.

Sorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin Parade2011112-sp8.jpgSorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin ParadeSorauren Park Pumpkin Parade

Writing and photos by Scott Snider

Wanna see more jack-o'-laterns? Hamish Grant was also on hand to shoot the Pumpkin Parade. Check out his shots in the slideshow below.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

New laws and rules coming to Ontario next month

Next phase of Gardiner Expressway work to begin and here's what to expect

Toronto will get more water taxis to relieve overcrowded island ferries

Huge earth-chewing titans will soon carve out Toronto's new $27B subway line

The most popular pet name in Toronto is the same for both cats and dogs

Key Toronto intersection is finally reopening after days-long emergency closure

Troublesome raccoon stalls TTC subway service in most Toronto incident ever

More Canadians are about to have an easier time filing their taxes